The band is known for musical improvisation, extended jams, blending of genres, and a rigorous touring schedule that draws a famously dedicated fan base. Their music blends elements of a wide variety of genres, including funk, progressive rock, psychedelic rock, folk, country, jazz, blues, bluegrass, and pop. Phish were part of a movement of improvisational rock groups, inspired by the Grateful Dead and colloquially known as "jam bands", which gained considerable popularity as touring concert acts in the 1990s.
After 15 years of performing together, Phish went on hiatus in 2000. They resumed touring in December 2002, but disbanded in 2004 after a farewell performance at their Coventry Festival in Vermont. They reunited in March 2009 for a series of three consecutive concerts played in the Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, Virginia, and have since resumed performing regularly.
Although the group received little radio play or MTV exposure, Phish developed a large following by word of mouth during the 1990s, particularly through fan-record tapes of their concerts, which circulated for free online with the band's permission. While often compared to the Grateful Dead, Phish finds their roots in styles such as jazz, funk and alternative rock as opposed to the Dead, who were more influenced by folk, country and blues.
Each Phish concert is different in terms of the songs included and the order in which they appeared, and (for many songs) in the way in which they were performed. Also unique to Phish are their large summer festivals which draw upwards of 70K people to remote areas in Maine and New York State as well as close to 100K for their epic Millennium Show in the Everglades of South Florida.
Along with Bob Dylan and The Beatles, Phish were one of the first bands to have an Internet newsgroup - rec.music.phish - launched in 1991.
In regards to Phish, Rolling Stone magazine proclaimed "Given their sense of community, their ambition and their challenging, generous performances, Phish have become the most important band of the Nineties."
Have Mercy
Phish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Have mercy on a good man and help him we pray, Jah man
Have mercy on a good girl and help her we pray, Jah man
Man was made to suffer, yeah
And women were made to feel the pain
Stay by our side and guide us we pray, Jah man
Give us all your blessing and help us we pray, Jah man
Time is running out, but we need no one, not to cry nor shout
Change them who's gone astray and show them the way, Jah man
Make this an everlasting example we pray, Jah man, yeah
Man was made to suffer, yeah, yeah
And women was made to feel the pain
Have mercy on a good man and help him we pray, Jah man
Have mercy on a good girl and help her we pray, Jah man
The lyrics of Phish's "Have Mercy" song begin with a plea to Jah, or Jah Rastafari, the spiritual leader of the Rastafari movement. The call to Jah is an appeal for guidance and mercy. The repetition of "guide us Jah man, have mercy on a good man, and help him we pray, Jah man" is an acknowledgment of the human condition, where people are created with a purpose but have to endure suffering and pain. The song reflects on how people can turn to the higher power for solace, guidance and help.
The second verse expresses the idea that men are made to suffer while women were made to feel the pain, which refers to the historical and ongoing exploitation and oppression of women. The lyrics speak to the need for the higher power to stay by our side and guide us through life, as we deal with the realities of the world. The plea for help and blessing is a reflection of our dependence on a higher power to help us navigate life's challenges.
Finally, the song comes to a close with a reminder that time is running out, and people need to change those who have gone astray and show them the way. The song calls for an everlasting example to be made, one that would serve as a beacon of truth and guidance for people to follow.
Overall, the lyrics of "Have Mercy" encapsulate the essence of the Rastafari movement's beliefs and practices, where people turn to Jah for guidance and strength in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Guide us Jah man, guide us Jah man, oh yeah
We are asking for guidance and support from Jah, our spiritual leader who is capable of leading and looking after us
Have mercy on a good man and help him we pray, Jah man
We are pleading for Jah's empathy towards good men who are in need of assistance
Have mercy on a good girl and help her we pray, Jah man
We are asking for Jah's kindness towards good girls who need help
Man was made to suffer, yeah
We acknowledge the reality that men are inherently prone to suffering
And women were made to feel the pain
We acknowledge the reality that women are inherently prone to experiencing pain
Stay by our side and guide us we pray, Jah man
We are asking Jah to stay by our side to provide continued guidance
Give us all your blessing and help us we pray, Jah man
We are asking for Jah's blessings and support as we move forward
Time is running out, but we need no one, not to cry nor shout
Although time is limited, we do not require emotional support or exaggerated reactions from others
Change them who's gone astray and show them the way, Jah man
We are asking Jah to help those who have lost their way and guide them back on the right path
Make this an everlasting example we pray, Jah man, yeah
We are asking Jah to create a lasting impression through his guidance
Man was made to suffer, yeah, yeah
We acknowledge the reality that men are inherently prone to suffering
And women was made to feel the pain
We acknowledge the reality that women are inherently prone to experiencing pain
Have mercy on a good man and help him we pray, Jah man
We are pleading for Jah's empathy towards good men who are in need of assistance
Have mercy on a good girl and help her we pray, Jah man
We are asking for Jah's kindness towards good girls who need help
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: FERGUSON, SHAW, SIMPSO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind